Ukraine targets Russian energy infrastructure and confirms it did not attack a nuclear plant occupied by Kremlin forces.

Kyiv, Ukraine – In recent developments, Ukraine has firmly rejected claims from Moscow regarding a purported drone attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, which is under Russian control. This incident comes as Ukraine intensifies its offensive against Russian energy installations, launching targeted operations on multiple sites across Russia.

The General Staff of Ukraine reported that Ukrainian drones successfully struck the Saratov oil refinery located in southwestern Russia, resulting in a significant fire. The extent of the damage is currently being assessed, but Ukrainian officials assert that the facility has played a critical role in supporting Moscow’s ongoing military efforts. The refinery operates under Russia’s state-owned oil entity, Rosneft. Local authorities in Russia confirmed damage to civilian infrastructure but offered little detail regarding the impact of the strikes. Independent news channels from Russia reported flames engulfing the Saratov refinery, underscoring the severity of the incident.

Over the past months, Ukraine has escalated its attacks targeting Russian oil and gas facilities, emphasizing that these sectors are crucial in sustaining and financing Russia’s prolonged military campaign against Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy characterized the attack on the Saratov refinery as a considerable achievement, noting its distance of approximately 700 kilometers from the front lines of the conflict.

In addition to the strikes in Saratov, Ukrainian forces targeted a fuel depot in the Rostov region, resulting in a large-scale fire. Evacuations were ordered for residents of neighboring homes. Moreover, reports indicate drone strikes